Vocabulary Wk 1 Flashcards
Direct supervision
DVM is on the premises, and is readily available
Immediate supervision
DVM is within direct eyesight and hearing range
DVM is physically attending the patient alongside the technician
Indirect supervision
DVM is not on the premises but the tech is able to perform the duties by maintaining direct communication.
DVM has provided written or oral orders and is readily available by phone but may not be present within the facility
Signalment
- Species
- Breed
- Age
- Weight
- Sex
- Reproductive status
Body Condition Score
BCS
A subjective assessment to determine if a a dog or a cat is at a healthy weight.
BCS: 1
Emaciated or Very Thin
Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all body prominences evident from a distance. No discernible body fat. Obvious absence of muscle mass.
BCS: 2
Thin or Underweight
Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat. Tops of lumbar vertebrae visible. Pelvic bones less prominent. Obvious waist and abdominal tuck.
BCS: 3
Moderate or Ideal
Ribs palpable without excess fat covering. Abdomen tucked up when viewed from side.
BCS: 4
Stout or Overweight
General fleshy appearance. Ribs palpable with difficulty. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar spine and tail base. Abdominal tuck may be absent.
BCS: 5
Obese
Large fat deposits over chest, spine and tail base. Waist and abdominal tuck absent. Fat deposits on neck and limbs. Abdomen distended.
ASA Assessment
An ASA risk is a 1-to-5 (+ E = Emergency) score adapted for animals from human medicine’s American Society of Anesthesiologists. The system is based on the patient’s overall health, not the procedure being performed.
ASA Class: 1
Minimal risk of a normal healthy patient with no underlying disease.
Routine procedures OVH, neuter, declaw.
ASA Class: 2
Slight risk of a slight to mild systemic disease. Neonates, geriatrics, obesity, local infections.
ASA Class: 3
Moderate risk, obvious systemic disease. Anemia, moderate dehydration, fever, low-grade heart murmur or cardiac disease.
ASA Class: 4
High risk with severe, systemic, life-threatening disease. Severe dehydration, shock, uremia, toxemia, high fever, uncompensated heart disease, uncompensated diabetes, pulmonary disease, emaciation.
ASA Class: 5
Extreme risk, moribund; patient will probably die with or without surgery. Advance cases of heart, kidney, liver or endocrine disease; profound shock, severe trauma, pulmonary embolus, terminal malignancy.
ASA Class: E
Emergency. Can be attached to each class in case of emergency surgery. Surgery is needed to prolong life.
Mydriasis
When the pupil remains dilated (widened) and doesn’t respond to light changes in an environment.
Miosis
Constriction of the pupil of the eye
Nystagmus
Uncontrolled repetitive movements of the eyes.
Anisocoria
Characterized by a difference in pupil size from one eye to the other.
Stridor
Noisy breathing caused by turbulent air flow in the upper airways.
Stertor
A heavy snoring sound during inspiration; often caused by partial upper airway obstruction. Seen in patients with laryngospasm, laryngeal edema, and in brachycephalic dogs.
Pulse deficit
Fewer vascular pulses than heartbeats.
a difference in count between heart beat (Apical beat or Heart sounds ) and peripheral pulse. This occurs even as the heart is contracting, the pulse is not reaching the periphery.
